New Times / Letter To The Editor

The following article was posted on August 29th, 2013, in the New Times - Volume 28, Issue 5 [ Submit a Story ]

The following articles were printed from New Times [newtimesslo.com] - Volume 28, Issue 5

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Enough with the blaming

San Luis Obispo

Rachel Hough

To all those who continue to speak out in fear and disgust against the “untouchables” of our county (Re: “Stop,” Aug. 15).

“That person panhandling at the stop sign would not be there if” our society was actually structured so as to support and care for people in need. In a culture that worships the false idol of money, where neighbors no longer know each other, where we are deluded into thinking we must be the strong lone wolf, existing in strength on our own, I think perhaps there are some among us who have lost a contextual perspective.

The ugly truth of the matter is that we live in and take part in a world economy and culture that throws spirits out with the trash. The majority of countries on Earth have such staggering degrees of poverty that it makes our homelessness issue look like an almost easily fixable one. Maybe that is the reason for your confusion and seeming lack of compassion.

Would your advice to the millions upon millions of suffering hungry and homeless of the world be to stay out of sight, go find “appropriate” help, and get away from “our” stop signs, go get a job? Is not your fellow brother and sister an “appropriate” place to look for help? Do you and I not take part in a system that causes these people to be left out in the cold?

I know it’s not pretty to look at. It makes me uncomfortable, too, as it should. But we are all to blame for our collective suffering. Stop blaming; start owning!